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Private meeting in New York
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met privately with Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and top outside adviser, in New York City to discuss potential areas of common ground as midterm attacks fly.
“offered up by a mutual friend of the two men”
The New York Times reported the rare engagement was held in a private space in New York City “offered up by a mutual friend of the two men,” and said neither man would comment through aides.
CNN said the pair gathered privately in New York to discuss issues including immigration, housing and the cost of living, and that Kushner suggested Jeffries should also meet with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
The meeting’s timing, as described by The New York Times, underscored that those around Mr. Trump were aware of the likelihood of a Democratic-led House and were trying to foster as much of a working relationship as possible before any change.
Jeffries, Johnson and critics
Jeffries framed the reported talks as part of a broader fight over affordability, telling CNN, “The American people want bold change and that’s what House Democrats will deliver,” and adding that the affordability crisis is not a hoax.
House Speaker Mike Johnson downplayed the meeting’s significance, telling Fox News, “I’m telling you, we’re going to defy history and hold this majority,” while saying Kushner “is a smart guy and he hedges his bets.”
The Guardian reported Democrats and other Trump critics reacted incredulously to the New York Times report, with Tommy Vietor saying, “Jared Kushner has no actual government job he just uses his family connections to get money from gulf autocrats and fund corrupt deals.”
The Guardian also tied the backlash to conflict-of-interest concerns, noting that in April Democrats on the House judiciary committee opened an investigation into Kushner’s financial conflict of interest.
What’s at stake in November
The New York Times said the private get-together came months ahead of the November midterm elections in which Democrats are favored to retake the US House, a shift that would put Jeffries in line to become speaker.
“significantly stymy any future legislative initiatives from the administration”
NBC News reported that if Democrats flip even a single chamber, it could “significantly stymy any future legislative initiatives from the administration,” and said Jeffries is the favorite to become the next speaker if Democrats take back the House majority in November.
The Guardian described how, if Democrats are in the majority, they are expected to use oversight power to aggressively investigate the Trump administration, including self-enrichment by the president and his family.
CNN added that Jeffries has emerged as a vocal opponent of Trump in his second term and has not ruled out potentially impeaching Trump if House Democrats hold the majority next year, while repeatedly insisting the party is focused on lowering costs for Americans.